Critique my listing - Chaitanya in Otterbacken, Sweden

[Ramesh-Chaitanya0]

Hello Airbnb Community!

I’m a new host based in Sweden and excited to begin this journey!

It’s been two months since I listed my property, and while I’ve had two bookings for July, I’ve noticed that other nearby properties seem to be getting booked more frequently.

Here’s the link to my listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/51094109

I very much appreciate your feedback on my listing:

• How does it look from a guest’s perspective?

• Are there any red flags or areas I could improve?

• Suggestions on pricing, photos, description, or amenities?

• And any tips or tricks you’ve used to attract more bookings, especially in a calm, nature-surrounded location like mine?

Thank you so much in advance!

[Terana0]

Guests often look at comments from guests who have stayed at your space. So applying a 20% discount for the first three sets of guests and getting a positive feedback from them will undoubtedly enhance your chances of attracting more guests.

This is what I did and it worked splendidly.

I wish you success in this endeavour!! 

[Tyson79]

Hi! My greatest suggestion is to click through EVERY SINGLE THING in your listing setup page multiple times and leave nothing blank. It will make your listing stand out against all the others in your area, and provide the best guest experience. Second, tell a story with your images, and make sure the story answers all potential questions about the property. 

[Shanda43]

Wow, so scenic! I like the lounge or bedroom option for the third bedroom. Congrats and wishing you much success. 

I’d add more garden photos of the exterior since that’s a selling point - and more close ups instead of wide shots. Similar to the river photo. Also, I think bedding should be included in price and not an add on. The request deadline makes that more of an issue too. 

best of luck! 

[Stan2415]

@Ramesh Chaitanya0 

I just looked at your listing and all the comments. A few things that stood out to me.

1.  the main one is no sheets or towels. You need to include them. No one wants to travel and have to bring these amenities. 

2.  Take out the children's Crib in the bedroom pictures and make it available upon request.

3.  Close the garage doors in the outside pictures.

4.  Take out the picture of the corner if the home that has the house number on it. It does nothing for the listing or curb appeal.

5.  Show the beds made up with sheets and bed spreads. It will make it look more inviting.

6.  Maybe a few more pictures on the walls also.

other than that your listing looks great.

[Susan5762]

Hi  Ramesh,

The area of your listing looks beautiful!   I would have more photos.  I also think that you may have too much going on in the space that makes it feel less calm.  People like open and clean spaces more like a hotel.  As example in your kitchen I would take away the two small pieces of art... Check to compare your prices with other rentals in the area.  It would also be nice to create an outdoor patio or sitting area that would make the outside of the building feel more cozy.

Best to you!

Susan

[Sherry577]

Hi Ramesh, your place is beautiful and very well decorated. I'm a new hosts but I can share that quick responses and being available is a great suggestion. Also, I'm not familiar with your area but I do know that sometimes bookings may be a little slow but keep going and focus on getting good reviews.

[Robyn473]

Congratulations on your startup & for seeking out feedback!  From the looks of the responses thus far, you’ve received some great ideas for potential improvements.   I agree with some of the ideas thus far:

-  I would recommend utilizing AI to provide more emotional descriptions of the accommodations.   You’re not only providing a place to stay, but you’re providing an experience!   You want people to imagine themselves at your rental & the great experience they’ll have!!  

- Ensure pictures are welcoming & show prospective guests what it would be like if rented. Ideas could include setting the table, adding flowers, adding pics with bedding, etc., little touches that add warmth & coziness. 
- Ensure photography truly represents realistic, but the ‘best’ views.  Wide angles of the room(s), which might require a higher photography position, etc.  Ensure lighting is on in the room(s) and pick sunny days in order to obtain the brightest pictures. 
- Agree with the other comments about linens & towels.  You want to take the work or hassle out of the equation for guests. 
- The back deck area is an extension to the living space & adds great value to your home.   I’d spend additional time here to really make it shine & become an asset. Ensure the roof area is cleaned, add an additional comfy sitting area/furniture besides the current table, & add plants (at least for the pictures).  Pictures taken of this space need to be bright & cheerful. 
You could even include a bottle of opened wine, two glasses, etc., & some table decorations.  Make it look inviting! 
- No comments on pricing. Airbnb makes it very easy for you to review comparable competitors & pricing structure.  I agree with other comments about offering initial discounted pricing to help drive reservations.  Easy to manage/update as required.  

Again, congratulations & wishing you a busy season!!!!

[Taylor785]

Great listing and congratulations on hosting! Hopefully, this feedback helps!

Your listing can use a few improvements, as someone who has never been to Sweden:

1. Offer linens and towels, some guests come in super late and may not be able to buy or have the space in their luggage to bring towels and linens
2. While you do offer parking, I would specify where by providing a picture as well as how many cars the driveway can accommodate
3. Offer more amenities! I didn't see many from the pictures, but I suggest adding outdoor games and other fun things for families and friends
4. The grill in the backyard, you will want to specify if charcoal is provided or not 
5.  Get a carbon monoxide alarm, most cities require this in short-term rentals and it can protect your home
6. Get exterior cameras for the safety of your home, you do not know what to expect and sometimes guests stay way past check out without telling the host. 

[Trude0]

@Taylor785 Actually, carbon monoxide alarms are not required in Sweden, and not many houses have them. Only fire alarms.

Otherwise, great suggestions that I agree with.

@Ramesh-Chaitanya0 
Many have mentioned linens and towels. They are included in my listings, but quite a few Swedish hosts don’t offer them, or they charge extra. It works if your main target group is Swedes, arriving by car and staying for long.

But tourists from other countries tend to be surprised if they have to bring their own/pay extra. They may even sleep without sheets, so you need to wash the pillows, duvets and mattresses toppers… 😩

If the main target group is guests who fly in, and/or come just for a long weekend, then it is definitely best to include linens and towels.

Good luck!

[Ramesh-Chaitanya0]

Wow, I’m truly blown away by all the amazing feedback and thoughtful tips 😃 - thank you so much, everyone! 🙏

@Marie8425 , @Sandra4874 , @Wisinee0 , @Shahab12 , @Sara8108 , @Tony2126 , @Róisín0 , @Zack120 , @Steve2584 , @Terana0 , @Tyson79 , @Shanda43 , @Stan2415 , @Susan5762 , @Sherry577 , @Robyn473 , @Taylor785 - I really appreciate each of you for taking the time to review my listing and share your insights.

I’ll review your suggestions carefully and will make the improvements I can to enhance my listing and guest experience. Your support means a lot and is incredibly motivating for a new host like me. Thank you once again!

[Robyn554]

Hi Ramesh, you listing looks nice, personally I wouldn't put pictures of the back of your place, because the front one with the flowers is captivating. More internal pictures like of the bedroom, of the sitting room/ dining, even the  bathroom. Might help.

[Samaira0]

Hi! First off, congrats on your new listing! Overall I think it looks great has a lot of “essential” amenities guests expect and is priced well (in my opinion without knowing much of your local area). Here are a few of the honest thoughts that went through my brain while looking over everything:

-I would feel like it was a burden to have to bring my own linens on my vacation, so I think those should be included

-also being asked to sweep/vacuum the floors before leaving made me think “why would I do that when they pay a cleaner to do it anyways” so it felt like a lame task as a guest

-you mentioned a 4th bedroom that is inaccessible, I’d want to know whether that is possibly occupied by a separate guest or if it’s just private storage, just so I’m not surprised if I saw someone else on the property with me

-maybe I’m just not seeing it, but in your listing you mention there’s a playground and yet no photos so I’d either add a photo, or remove the listed amenity

-there’s an outside photo of the home that is capturing the corner of the building and I honestly don’t think it makes the home look very good, so I would maybe remove it. And if you want to go the extra mile, I would recommend getting professional photos taken

All in all I think it’s a great property and I’m excited for your future successes in renting this home more than you thought you could! CONGRATS 🙂

[Shree-And-Abani0]

Congratulations Ramesh for your new hosting journey. 

I just kicked off this journey 1 months back having 6 bookings old in Las Vegas.

My learning is that, Airbnb platform is driven by reviews and its algorithm makes your listing visible in the search page based on stronger reviews. Then your photos make the magic to attract the booker to click your listing to convert to a real booking.

Few quick suggestions what I noticed based on the above rule of thumb:

1 - As many as amenities should be included to get 5 Star reviews. Customer should enjoy their stay.

2 - Washer and Dryer is must. I replaced my new Whirlpool simple washer and dryer to a smarter Samsung models to please my guest and experience the newer technology.

3 - Your neighborhood which is close to a lake is the USP of your listing. Hence your photo should be top notch with DSLR / Professional quality to attract guest to just browse the listing. 

4 - Since the lake is closer, if any water activity related amenities can be included free would be beneficial.

5 - Adding some games, making some kids friendly items available might help to attract families having kids.

Above all, you need to continuously exercise the pricing if its accurately placed based on similar listing or not.

[Sylvia929]

Hi there! Congratulations on starting your journey! We started exactly one year ago & it has been an exceptional experience so far! 
with your space, a few things I would say is, first off, exterior space is very important for first impressions. I think a good coat of paint on some areas with help to get rid of the tired look. Same for inside on any areas where needed. In the kitchen photo it looks like there are holes in the drawers where hardware has been changed, so that should be fixed. Also, some art work on the walls in bedrooms would help the coziness factor. 
People like the space they are staying at to look new, fresh & clean. 

[Lloyd151]

Hi Ramesh:

Is your place family friendly? Do you offer high chair, baby bath, children eating utensils, or any other features that’s family friendly? Given its lakeside, I can see families looking for a place in this location so if you offer more family friendly items, it may increase your booking chances. 

Think of the things you may prefer not to pack as a guest travelling with your family and invest in some of these items to attract more families. Summer is upon us soon so act swiftly and I hope this helps your efforts to get increased bookings. 

Cheers!

Lloyd